# Free alternative Scatter addon?

**URL:** <https://blenderartists.org/t/free-alternative-scatter-addon/1246589>\
**Category:** Particles and Physics Simulations\
**Created:** [August 11, 2020, 2:16pm UTC](https://blenderartists.org/t/free-alternative-scatter-addon/1246589 "2020-08-11T14:16:46Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![espr3ss0](https://blenderartists.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/e/ed8c4c/32.png) [@espr3ss0](https://blenderartists.org/u/espr3ss0)\
**Post date:** [August 11, 2020, 2:16pm UTC](https://blenderartists.org/t/free-alternative-scatter-addon/1246589/1 "2020-08-11T14:16:46Z")

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Are there any good free alternatives to Scatter addon? Want to make grass + flowers without doing it all myself.

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**Author:** ![YAFU](https://blenderartists.org/user_avatar/blenderartists.org/yafu/32/25605_2.png) [@YAFU](https://blenderartists.org/u/YAFU)\
**Post date:** [August 11, 2020, 2:31pm UTC](https://blenderartists.org/t/free-alternative-scatter-addon/1246589/2 "2020-08-11T14:31:41Z")

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Hi.  
Scatter Objects addon, it is included within blender. You must enable it.

[![](https://blenderartists.org/uploads/default/original/4X/d/b/9/db95f6c70068e45f79604bd9967e231b1467a084.jpeg "Blender Scatter Objects On Surface") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAOuZBzEF8E)

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**Author:** ![espr3ss0](https://blenderartists.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/e/ed8c4c/32.png) [@espr3ss0](https://blenderartists.org/u/espr3ss0)\
**Post date:** [August 11, 2020, 2:35pm UTC](https://blenderartists.org/t/free-alternative-scatter-addon/1246589/3 "2020-08-11T14:35:34Z")

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Thanks but a little too basic.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![BD3D](https://blenderartists.org/user_avatar/blenderartists.org/bd3d/32/900236_2.png) [@BD3D](https://blenderartists.org/u/BD3D)\
**Post date:** [August 11, 2020, 2:41pm UTC](https://blenderartists.org/t/free-alternative-scatter-addon/1246589/4 "2020-08-11T14:41:34Z")

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Hi @espr3ss0  
there’s a free early version available

You can achieve triple clusters really easily

> added a random range option in the custom slot editor, so that the same custom scattering operator could give different result because of size and offset randomisation.
> 
> i’ll try to do more range randomisation tomorrow ? what kind of parameters would you like to see ? more would be killer no ? Shall i work on other procedural texture ? right now the only possibility is the cloud texture.
> 
> ![custom](https://blenderartists.org/uploads/default/original/4X/c/b/4/cb4938cd5c62978144a6af302dc2062498dde8f6.gif)
> 
> ![Annotation%202019-09-02%20021413](https://blenderartists.org/uploads/default/original/4X/a/e/f/aefae9fa9dd34d50048cc3b2f92b8f34807d4d4f.jpeg)
> 
> ```auto
> # "Scatter" Add-on
> # Copyright (C) 2019 Dorian Borremans aka BD3D
> #
> # This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
> # it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
> # the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
> # (at your option) any later version.
> #
> # This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
> # but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
> # MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
> # GNU General Public License for more details.
> #
> # You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
> # along with this program. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
> # <pep8 compliant>
> 
> bl_info = {
> "name" : "Scatter [BD3D]", 
> "author" : "BD3D",   
> "description" : "The scattering tool of 2.8",
> "blender" : (2, 80, 0),
> "location" : "Operator",
> "warning" : "",
> "category" : "Generic"
> }
> 
> import bpy
> import random
> from bpy.types import Menu
> import webbrowser
> from bpy.types import Operator, AddonPreferences, PropertyGroup
> from bpy.props import StringProperty, IntProperty, BoolProperty, FloatProperty
> import rna_keymap_ui
> context = bpy.context
> 
> def find_collection(context, item):
> collections = item.users_collection
> if len(collections) > 0:
> return collections[0]
> return context.scene.collection
> 
> def make_collection(collection_name, parent_collection):
> if collection_name in bpy.data.collections:
> return bpy.data.collections[collection_name]
> else:
> new_collection = bpy.data.collections.new(collection_name)
> parent_collection.children.link(new_collection)
> return new_collection
> 
> ######################################################################################
> ######################################################################################
> # # # # # # # # # # # # SCATTER ADDON PREF # # # # # # # # # # # # 
> ######################################################################################
> ######################################################################################
> 
> class ScatterPref(AddonPreferences):
> bl_idname = __name__
> 
> scatter_01_count = IntProperty( 
> name="Emission Number",
> subtype='NONE',
> default=1000,
> min=0,
> )#percentage couvert? 
> scatter_01_seed = IntProperty( 
> name="Emission Seed Value",
> subtype='NONE',
> default=5,
> min=0,
> )
> scatter_01_seed_is_random = BoolProperty( 
> name="Emission Random Seed Value",
> subtype='NONE',
> default=True,
> )
> scatter_01_particle_size = FloatProperty(
> name="Render Scale",
> subtype='NONE',
> default=0.25,
> min=0.01,
> max=3
> )
> scatter_01_size_random = FloatProperty(
> name="Render Scale Randomness",
> subtype='NONE',
> default=0.35,
> min=0,
> max=1
> )
> scatter_01_phase_factor_random = FloatProperty(
> name="Rotation Randomize Phase",
> subtype='NONE',
> default=2,
> min=0,
> max=2
> )
> scatter_01_display_percentage = IntProperty(
> name="Viewport Display Percentage",
> subtype='NONE',
> default=100,
> min=0,
> max=100
> )
> 
> scatter_01_noise_scale = FloatProperty(
> name="Texture Noise Size",
> subtype='NONE',
> default=0.45,
> min=0.01,
> max=100
> )
> scatter_01_noise_depth = IntProperty(
> name="Texture Noise Depth",
> subtype='NONE',
> default=0,
> min=0,
> max=20
> )
> scatter_01_contrast = FloatProperty(
> name="Texture Color Contrast",
> subtype='NONE',
> default=3,
> min=0,
> max=5
> )
> scatter_01_intensity = FloatProperty(
> name="Texture Color Brightness",
> subtype='NONE',
> default=1,
> min=0,
> max=2
> )
> scatter_01_density_factor = FloatProperty(
> name="Texture Influence Density",
> subtype='NONE',
> default=1,
> min=0,
> max=1
> )
> scatter_01_length_factor = FloatProperty(
> name="Texture Influence Length",
> subtype='NONE',
> default=0.3,
> min=0,
> max=1
> )
> 
> scatter_01_scalex = FloatProperty(
> name="Texture Mapping size X",
> subtype='NONE',
> default=1,
> min=-100,
> max=100
> )
> scatter_01_scaley = FloatProperty(
> name="Texture Mapping size Y",
> subtype='NONE',
> default=1,
> min=-100,
> max=100
> )
> scatter_01_scalez = FloatProperty(
> name="Texture Mapping size Z",
> subtype='NONE',
> default=1,
> min=-100,
> max=100
> )
> 
> scatter_01_offsetx = FloatProperty(
> name="Texture Mapping offset X in meters",
> subtype='NONE',
> default=0,
> min=-10,
> max=10
> )
> scatter_01_offsety = FloatProperty(
> name="Texture Mapping offset Y in meters",
> subtype='NONE',
> default=0,
> min=-10,
> max=10
> )
> scatter_01_offsetz = FloatProperty(
> name="Texture Mapping offset Z in meters",
> subtype='NONE',
> default=0,
> min=-10,
> max=10
> )
> 
> scatter_01_size_is_random = BoolProperty( 
> name="Texture Mapping Random Size Value XYZ",
> subtype='NONE',
> default=False,
> )
> scatter_01_size_A = FloatProperty(
> name="Size Possibilities Range From A",
> subtype='NONE',
> default=0.7,
> min=-100,
> max=100
> )
> scatter_01_size_B = FloatProperty(
> name="To B",
> subtype='NONE',
> default=1.4,
> min=-100,
> max=100
> )
> 
> scatter_01_offset_is_random = BoolProperty( 
> name="Texture Mapping Random Offset Value XYZ in meters",
> subtype='NONE',
> default=True,
> )
> scatter_01_offset_A = FloatProperty(
> name="Offset Possibilities Range From A",
> subtype='NONE',
> default=0,
> min=-10,
> max=10
> )
> scatter_01_offset_B = FloatProperty(
> name="To B",
> subtype='NONE',
> default=10,
> min=-10,
> max=10
> )
> 
> scatter_01_open= bpy.props.BoolProperty(
> name="Show Debug Tools",
> description="Expand me senpai",
> default=False
> )
> ######################################################################################
> 
> def draw(self, context): #DRAWING HERE - DRAWING HERE - DRAWING HERE- DRAWING HERE
> layout = self.layout
> full= "------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------"
> addon_prefs = context.preferences.addons[__name__].preferences
> 
> box = layout.box()
> col = box.column()
> row = col.row(align=True)
> row.alignment = 'LEFT'
> row.prop(self,
> 'scatter_01_open',
> text="Custom Scattering Slot 01",
> emboss=False,
> icon="PLAY" if self.scatter_01_open else "PLAY")
> if self.scatter_01_open:
> 
> col.label(text=full)            
> 
> col.prop(self,"scatter_01_count")
> if addon_prefs.scatter_01_seed_is_random == True:
> col.prop(self,"scatter_01_seed_is_random")
> else:
> col.prop(self,"scatter_01_seed_is_random")
> col.prop(self,"scatter_01_seed")
> col.prop(self,"scatter_01_particle_size")
> col.prop(self,"scatter_01_size_random")
> col.prop(self,"scatter_01_phase_factor_random")
> 
> col.label(text=' ')
> col.prop(self,"scatter_01_density_factor")
> col.prop(self,"scatter_01_length_factor")
> 
> col.label(text=' ')
> col.prop(self,"scatter_01_offset_is_random")
> if addon_prefs.scatter_01_offset_is_random == True:
> col.prop(self,"scatter_01_offset_A")
> col.prop(self,"scatter_01_offset_B")
> else:
> col.prop(self,"scatter_01_offsetx")
> col.prop(self,"scatter_01_offsety")
> col.prop(self,"scatter_01_offsetz")
>             
> col.label(text=' ')
> col.prop(self,"scatter_01_size_is_random")
> if addon_prefs.scatter_01_size_is_random == True:
> col.prop(self,"scatter_01_size_A")
> col.prop(self,"scatter_01_size_B")
> else:
> col.prop(self,"scatter_01_scalex")
> col.prop(self,"scatter_01_scaley")
> col.prop(self,"scatter_01_scalez")
> 
> col.label(text=' ')
> col.prop(self,"scatter_01_noise_scale")
> col.prop(self,"scatter_01_noise_depth")
> col.prop(self,"scatter_01_contrast")
> col.prop(self,"scatter_01_intensity")
> 
> col.label(text=' ')
> col.prop(self,"scatter_01_display_percentage")
> 
>  
> 
> ######################################################################################
> ######################################################################################
> # # # # # # # # # # # # SCATTER OPERATOR # # # # # # # # # # # # 
> ######################################################################################
> ######################################################################################
> 
> class Scatter_OT_Custom01(bpy.types.Operator):
> bl_idname = "scatter.custom01"
> bl_label = "custom scattering operator 01"
> bl_description = ""
> 
> def execute(self, context):
> context = bpy.context
> addon_prefs = context.preferences.addons[__name__].preferences
> scene = context.scene
> A = context.object
> ### ### Naming
> slotname = "Custom1"
> if len(bpy.context.selected_objects) > 2:
> particlename = bpy.context.selected_objects[1].name + " ..."
> else:
> particlename = bpy.context.selected_objects[1].name #BUG why the f does the name change when multiple execution ???
> pref = "SCATTER: ["+slotname+"] ["+particlename+"] v."
> i = 1
> name = "%s%d" % (pref, i)
> while A.modifiers.get(name):    
> i += 1
> name = "%s%d" % (pref, i)
> ### ### add particle system + rename and add selection in new coll
> m = A.modifiers.new(name, type='PARTICLE_SYSTEM')
> A.select_set(state=False)
> for o in bpy.context.selected_objects:
> o_collection = find_collection(bpy.context, o)
> new_collection = make_collection(name , o_collection)
> new_collection.objects.link(o)
> o_collection.objects.unlink(o)
> A.select_set(state=True)
> ### ### particle parameters
> ps = m.particle_system
> ps.name = name
> ps.settings.name = name
> ps.settings.type = 'HAIR'
> ps.settings.render_type = 'COLLECTION'
> ps.settings.instance_collection = bpy.data.collections[name]
> ps.settings.particle_size = addon_prefs.scatter_01_particle_size
> ps.settings.hair_length = 4
> ps.settings.size_random = addon_prefs.scatter_01_size_random
> ps.settings.count = addon_prefs.scatter_01_count
> if addon_prefs.scatter_01_seed_is_random == True:
> bpy.context.object.particle_systems[name].seed = random.randint(0,10000)
> else:
> bpy.context.object.particle_systems[name].seed = addon_prefs.scatter_01_seed
> ps.settings.display_percentage = addon_prefs.scatter_01_display_percentage
> ps.settings.use_advanced_hair = True
> ps.settings.use_rotations = True
> ps.settings.rotation_factor_random = 1
> ps.settings.phase_factor = 1
> ps.settings.phase_factor_random = addon_prefs.scatter_01_phase_factor_random
> ### ### texture parameters
> bpy.ops.texture.new()
> texturename = name
> bpy.data.textures[-1].name = texturename
> bpy.data.textures[texturename].type = 'CLOUDS' #LATER SUPPORT OTHER NOISE TYPE AND OPTIONS
> bpy.data.textures[texturename].noise_scale = addon_prefs.scatter_01_noise_scale
> bpy.data.textures[texturename].noise_depth = addon_prefs.scatter_01_noise_depth
> bpy.data.textures[texturename].contrast = addon_prefs.scatter_01_contrast
> bpy.data.textures[texturename].intensity = addon_prefs.scatter_01_intensity
> ps.settings.texture_slots.add().texture = bpy.data.textures[texturename]
> ps.settings.texture_slots[0].blend_type = 'MULTIPLY'
> ps.settings.texture_slots[0].use_map_time = False
> ps.settings.texture_slots[0].use_map_density = True
> ps.settings.texture_slots[0].density_factor = addon_prefs.scatter_01_density_factor
> ps.settings.texture_slots[0].use_map_length = True 
> ps.settings.texture_slots[0].length_factor = addon_prefs.scatter_01_length_factor
> 
> if addon_prefs.scatter_01_offset_is_random == False:
> ps.settings.texture_slots[0].scale[1] = addon_prefs.scatter_01_scalex
> ps.settings.texture_slots[0].scale[2] = addon_prefs.scatter_01_scaley
> ps.settings.texture_slots[0].scale[0] = addon_prefs.scatter_01_scalez
> else:
> randomn =round(random.uniform(addon_prefs.scatter_01_size_A,addon_prefs.scatter_01_size_B), 2)
> ps.settings.texture_slots[0].scale[1] = randomn
> ps.settings.texture_slots[0].scale[2] = randomn
> ps.settings.texture_slots[0].scale[0] = randomn
> 
> if addon_prefs.scatter_01_offset_is_random == False:
> ps.settings.texture_slots[0].offset[1] = addon_prefs.scatter_01_offsetx
> ps.settings.texture_slots[0].offset[2] = addon_prefs.scatter_01_offsety
> ps.settings.texture_slots[0].offset[0] = addon_prefs.scatter_01_offsetz
> else:
> randomno =round(random.uniform(addon_prefs.scatter_01_offset_A,addon_prefs.scatter_01_offset_B), 2)
> ps.settings.texture_slots[0].offset[1] = randomno
> ps.settings.texture_slots[0].offset[2] = randomno
> ps.settings.texture_slots[0].offset[0] = randomno
> 
> ps.settings.texture_slots[0].texture_coords = 'GLOBAL'
> return {'FINISHED'}
> 
> ######################################################################################
> ######################################################################################
> # # # # # # # # # # # # N MENU # # # # # # # # # # # # 
> ######################################################################################
> ######################################################################################
> 
> class Scatter_PT_ScatteringPanel(bpy.types.Panel):
> bl_idname = "Scatter_PT_ScatteringPanel"
> bl_label = "Scatter"
> bl_category = "Scatter"
> bl_space_type = "VIEW_3D"
> bl_region_type = "UI"
> 
> def draw(self, context):
> layout = self.layout
> bigbutton = layout.column()
> bigbutton.scale_y=2
> bigbutton.operator('scatter.custom01', text="SCATTER", icon='PLAY')
> 
> ######################################################################################
> ######################################################################################
> # # # # # # # # # # # # REG # # # # # # # # # # # # 
> ######################################################################################
> ######################################################################################
> 
> def register():
> bpy.utils.register_class(ScatterPref)
> bpy.utils.register_class(Scatter_OT_Custom01)
> bpy.utils.register_class(Scatter_PT_ScatteringPanel)
> 
> def unregister():
> bpy.utils.unregister_class(ScatterPref)
> bpy.utils.unregister_class(Scatter_OT_Custom01)
> bpy.utils.unregister_class(Scatter_PT_ScatteringPanel)
> 
> if __name__ == " __main__":
> register()
> #write ops to do on script exec
> 
> ```
> 
> [Scatter\_v01.py](https://blenderartists.org/uploads/short-url/nW1Wn3eUVPRw2IRiFKDns1LtmCO.py) (17.3 KB)
> 
> @filibis i don’t think thoses are true particles ? are they ?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![espr3ss0](https://blenderartists.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/e/ed8c4c/32.png) [@espr3ss0](https://blenderartists.org/u/espr3ss0)\
**Post date:** [August 12, 2020, 12:54pm UTC](https://blenderartists.org/t/free-alternative-scatter-addon/1246589/5 "2020-08-12T12:54:14Z")

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Does anybody know if I purchased the Addon I get free upgrades, or is it just a one time thing?

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**Author:** ![Strike\_Digital](https://blenderartists.org/user_avatar/blenderartists.org/strike_digital/32/685857_2.png) [@Strike\_Digital](https://blenderartists.org/u/Strike_Digital)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2020, 1:36pm UTC](https://blenderartists.org/t/free-alternative-scatter-addon/1246589/6 "2020-08-29T13:36:20Z")

</div>

Yes, you get all updates for free

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![espr3ss0](https://blenderartists.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/e/ed8c4c/32.png) [@espr3ss0](https://blenderartists.org/u/espr3ss0)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2020, 1:41pm UTC](https://blenderartists.org/t/free-alternative-scatter-addon/1246589/7 "2020-08-29T13:41:22Z")

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Cool thank u.